Method and means for using low-compression fuels



Patented July 12,1927.

UNITED. STATES CHARLES F. KETTERING AND THOMAS MIDGLEY JB OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS,

IBY MESNE ASSIGNMELI IGAN, A CORPORATION METHOD AND MEANS FOR US filed January No Drawing. Application ontinuation in part Serial No.

now marketed to about 125 pounds for.

aviation gasoline employed in airplane engines. These fuels are termed low compression fuels. When the vapors of any one 20 of them is mixed with air, compressed to a compression pressure in excess of the normal critical compression pressure of the fuel, and burned, as in an internal combustion engine, a fuel knock is produced.

\Ve have found that vapors of iodine compounds added to the fuel-air mixture suppress this fuel knock and permit an increase in the engine compression pressure 'with a normal burning characteristic of the fuel. By way of an example of one method of carrying out our invention, we ethyl iodide in gasoline having a normal critical compression pressure of about 75 pounds, to form a fuel consisting by volume of 5%v ethyl iodide and 95% gasoline. This solution or high compression fuel is fed through a carburetor into the cylinder of an internal combustion engine having a compression pressure of about 100 pounds, the solution being vaporized and mixed with air as is common practice in engine opera- The critical com-' dissolve TS, TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICH- OF DELAWARE,

ING LOW-COMPRESSION FUELS.

3, 192}. Serial No. 684,255.

tion. The gaseous high compression fuel is ignited and the engine operated without U a fuel knock. The gasoline forms the fuel base and the iodine compound increases the 4:! critical compression pressure of this base. This process may be varied b changing the proportions according to tie increase in critical compression pressure desired ind by-using other iodine compounds in place of the ethyl iodide. Among the substances which may be'employed are other alkyl compounds including amyl, methyl and propyl iodide, potassium iodide, phenyl iodide, iodoforin, tin tetra-iodide. lead dietliyl diindifle, lead diphenyl di-iodide and elemental iodine.

\Ve prefer to employ the iodine corripounds which are soluble in the fuel to promote the mixing of the two. Blending agents may be employed if the iodine com pound does not dissolve readilyin the fuel. The compound may be added to the fuel air mixture just before the latter is burned. \Vhat is claimed is as follows: 1. A fuel for internal combustion engines, containing iodine. I Y

2. A composition of matter. comprising a low compression fuel, such as kerosene or gasoline; and an alkyl compound of iodine incorporated homogeneously therein and adapted to increase the critical compres-- sion pressure of the fuel. 3. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel; and an ethyl compound of iodine incorporated therein.

4. A composition of matter comprising gasoline; and ethyl iodide. In testimony whereof we hereto signatures.

CHARLES F. KETTERING. 'THOMAS MIDGLEY, JR. 

